My parents purchased my first travel insurance policy. At age 22, I was barely able to keep track of my passport, let alone organize my life after graduation. Nervous for their daughter’s apparent immaturity, Mom and Dad arranged for an international plan that would cover a month of health risks while backpacking through Europe. Mom also sneaked a box of canine diarrhea tablets into my suitcase – just in case.
Though it’s much easier to let someone else prepare your foreign healthcare coverage, finding and buying the right policy is almost as easy as getting food poisoning in a foreign country – it sounds much worse than it usually is.
Check out these posts for basic insurance information:
– The Ins and Outs of International Travel Insurance
– 5 Insurance Tips for Solo Women Travelers
– 8 Moments When You’ll Be Glad To Have International Travel Insurance
Next, follow these steps on how to buy international travel insurance:
1. Think about the type of insurance you need.
Where are you going? What will you do once you get there? Different travel insurance policies cater to different things – from lost luggage and cancelled flights to extreme sports and vehicle rentals – so be sure to consider any potential activities you might take part in.
2. Check what’s covered by current medical insurance and credit cards.
There’s no point spending money if you don’t need to; so before you buy an international insurance policy, double check the details of any medical/travel insurance you currently have. Will it extend to your travels overseas? Sometimes, credit cards offer driving insurance for rental vehicles. Will yours take care of a car crash Australia, or only in the States?
3. Consult an expert. Whether you research individual insurance companies online, use a comparative website or visit an insurance representative in person, get the facts from the experts. Friends and family may have dependable recommendations, but they won’t be able to help you navigate the fine print like a professional can.
4. Get a quote. Always request a quote before purchasing insurance. Be sure to specify exactly where you plan to travel and any potential activities you intend to participate in, regardless if they’re pre-booked or simply still ideas in your head. This will help the insurance company provide a policy that best suits all your needs. If the company won’t give a quote, then they may not be the company you want taking care of your health concerns.
5. Purchase a policy. You’ve done the leg work, jotted down the pros and cons – now, buy your international travel insurance policy. This can be done an online with a credit card or in person at an insurance office. Some companies charge a one-time payment, while others may arrange for several smaller payments to be withdrawn from a bank account over the duration of your travels. However you choose to pay, make sure you receive a receipt for the purchase.
6. Prepare to use the insurance. Just in case, it’s best to take a few final precautions before using your travel insurance.
- Make sure you receive some document of confirmation with the starting and ending date of the policy, and a customer client number.
- Once you have this, print a few copies. Put one in your carry-on bag and leave the others with family or friends.
- If the insurance company provides you with a customer ID card, stick this in your wallet. This way it’s within reach, should a Customs official or Border guard ask for it.
- Speak with a company representative about how you can file a claim – this will save you headaches later in the trip!
- Finally, put the company or representative phone number in your mobile or address book for easy reach in an emergency.
~ Until the next adventure! ~ Kelli
Photo credits:
Scrabble Series Insurance – StockMonkeys
Globe, Map, Suitcase, Travel – Wilerson S Andrade